Presidents Day Polar Bear Arizona Tournament

My sister Janay and my baby girl Claire.

My mom and Natalie, Claire, and Zane.

My brother Ryan with Melissa and Natalie.

My Grandpa and his wife June with the girls.

All of us at my parents house.

Jared playing on the Tri-Valley Blue Devils out of the S. F bay area

Jake posing for a picture.

The cousins at Red Lobster after the winning game.. notice Zane under the table.

Showing their medals in front of my parents house.

After the win..so emotional!

This past weekend we went down to the Valley to see my sister and her family. Her boys were in a tournament and played other teams from all over the U.S. and Canada. It was so exciting to watch them play the sport they have been doing since birth. They are both very good players and I was amazed at how rough the sport is..especially with Jake's team. They are 13 and 14 years old but some of them are as big as grown men! When I say it was exciting to watch that is an understatement. Both teams were undefeated the entire tournament and then it came down to the championship where Jake's team was playing a team from a town near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I took one look at the goalie(about 200 lbs.) and thought that's it.. they are not gonna beat these guys. After all Hockey is in those Canadians DNA right? Well, it was a pretty stressful game and they were up 1 to 0 then 2 to 0 and I was thinking,"this might happen" My nephew Jake scored the 3rd goal and during the last few minutes of the game, the other team scored 2 right in a row..so if it wasn't for Jakes goal..it would've been tied and gone into a "shoot out" So, he made the winning goal and won the Championship. I was so so so excited. Tears came to my eyes as I saw those boys throw off their helmets and run and hug each other lifting Jake into the air. It brings tears to my eyes just typing this recollection. Although Jared's team didn't win the final game ( the Canadians from Vancouver won), I was extremely proud of them both and felt honored to see them play. I love my sister and her family so much and am so thankful for them in my life. There is nothing like the bond that sisters share. I hope that we will be able to share more moments like we did this weekend. Congratulations Jake!

Trenton's baptism

At the baptismal font

Trenton and his family

Trenton was baptized on February 6, 2010 by his father, my wonderful husband Brian. It was truly a wonderful occasion and many people were there who truly care for him and his family. Brian's brother and sisters family came and all their kids. It was a great time and so fun for all the cousins to be together. They all enjoyed some fun "snow time" and we enjoyed all hanging out together. The baptism was on Saturday at 10 am. Trenton was so excited and when we got to the church Brian and Trenton went to get ready right away. I went to set up our room where we would all be meeting afterwards. It was a very intimate setting as Trenton was the only child from our ward getting baptized that day. He was dressed all in white and entered the waters of Baptism. When Brian said the words... and in the name of Jesus Christ, I felt such a warm and peaceful feeling. I was assured that my son was making a righteous decision in his life. Then while they were changing we all went in our room and I had everyone write down on a little card (that would later be put into a book) their messages to Trenton on this special day. Then Trenton came in looking so spiffy in his suit coat and tie and we all watched the video his sister Natalie had made for him compiling many pictures of him with beautiful music. It truly brought tears to my eyes as I realized even more how fast they grow up. Then Grandma Debbie gave an awesome talk on the Holy Ghost. I now it was special for him because he too had tears in his eyes. The Spirit was truly amazing. Thank You to all who made the journey and were able to come. We are so thankful. It is a day I'm sure he will always remember.

Our house is somewhere behind all that snow.

Crazy!

Love this picture of Claire..reminds me of myself whenI was little.

Emmie's birthday celebration..so fun and such a sweet family.

Brian kissing Miley's hand. So cute!

I'm learning.

This month was crazy snow so I wanted to document it for my journaling and throw in some extra pictures. I am really hoping to put all these into a book soon. I am so thankful I started this blog because when my computer crashed I knew I still had ones on my blog. As I sit here now writing this I can hear the snow melting off the roof and it gives me hope that someday we might have a ground in the back and front to run around on. I really hate the snow. It makes my car so nasty dirty and then when I pick up Trenton from karate I have to put a towel down on the car or my carpets would be black. Makes me think I should of got black carpets just for that reason. I hate driving in it at night because all the melting snow turns to ice after sunset. There are many more reasons why I hate it but enough of that. I have a crazy week this week with Trenton's baptism around the corner and I have New Beginnings at church for Young Women tomorrow night and Preschool here at my house again on Thurs. I love my life, I really do..I just need a vacation! Then I think of my sister in law who is caring for my father n law who has been ill with a horrible infection after he fell off a ladder and then his fracture blisters got infected and he almost lost his leg and his life. I know it is a daily sacrifice to care for him and it is difficult to be all to everyone. I have hope that things will improve and that our Father in Heaven only puts things in front of us to make us grow and learn...I'm learning.